Japan Aegis BMD (JFTM-1) Stellar Kiji Quicklook

Narrative on the first successful intercept of a medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM) by an allied Navy ship. The JS Kongo (DDG-173) successfully detected, tracked and engaged the "separating" target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) with the Aegis BMD weapon system, firing the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Blk IA missile for a successful intercepts outside the earth's atmosphere. JFTM-1 was the first time that a Japanese ship was designated to launch the interceptor missile, a major milestone in the growing cooperation between Japan and the U.S. Previous participation had been limited to tracking and communications exercises. Video couresty of Raytheon Missile Systems. Approved for public release 07-MDA-2983 & 07-NEWS-0053.